Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-12-09
n the door stood Miss Keziab with A..


take. Now some one must bring up the
ducks by hand, so I'll Just give 'em to
You. You want to feed EN- twice day.
There they are, by the brook, yonder.
Awful scary things, too"
Cissy took the basin, and said, with
shining eyes: "They's Just the cutest
things And to think can take care of
emf"
And she did care for them too, so well
that in a week they followed her about
everywhere, and came at her slightest
call. They were her great pride and de-
light.
''To see that child and them ducks, q"
said Farmer John, "would do anybody
good. She's named 'em, every one, and
talks to 'em like little old woman. All
these poor city children need is Just o
fair chance"
And Miss Keziah would add: "That is
so, John, and you can't think what a
handy, willing child she is, too"
One Sunday afternoon John sat read
ing paper. Miss Keziah had thrown
her black silk apron over her face, and
gone to sleep. Cissy was on the little
AAAN -NOfNANu DOlNly SOult Sulu-
ing shower-caps lift their smooth masses
above the blue hills, a little distance
away. Everything about her was beau
tiful and peaceful. By-and-by she
arose, and came slowly to Mr.. Johns
side.
"Well, Cissy," he asked, 'what do
you want9"
Gould you please write a letter for
mei | can't write, and l do want to let
Tom know about this"
Farmer Whitley rose at this request,
and gathered the materials together.
"Can Tom readt' he inquired.
''Oh yes" said Cissy. "Tom reads
real good. He's sixteen. He went to
school before mother died"
"Well, now, Cissy, you Jest talk as if
you were writin', and I'll put it down. 7"
"DEAR ToN," the letter ran: 81 want
to tell you how jolly everything is. l
get lots to eat all the time, and l got a
whole calico dress, with a rufIle in the
neck, and got splendid shoes. l sleep
in bed, and my back and sides don't
ache like they useter. 1 got six ducks,
who know me, and let me love em lots
0 Tom, it is SO be-yew-ti-ful here that
kinder wanter cry. Tell Mrs Gallagher
Please to keep my place. don't think
it'll hurt to carry Bonnie now, so good
by, Tom. From CIssY."
''Is that ala" asked the farmer, wiping
his pen. Then he dipped it in again,
wrote the address on an envelope. Cissy.
who had looked happy till then, sudden
ly turned red and looked down.
why, what now, Cissyl Amt it all
right2' asked Mr.. John, kindly
'Oh yes, sir, but ain't-got-a-twc
cent stamp" Tears stood in her eyes.
But have" said Miss Keziah. sud-
denly whisking down her apron. "You
needn't worry about your letter going,
child; it shall 60 all right. There come
those everlasting ducks d. hear 'em
Hungry, spose Right into the door!
Shoe there! Cissy, 50 drive EN- to tho
pond"
Cissy sprang to her pets. and coaxeo
them outside. They were growing so
beautifully smooth and white, and so fond
of Cssy they quackei every time they
spied her, sure of crusts or corn.
A few days after that Mr.. John took a
load of garden sass" to the city.
Mind" he said, as he left them, II
shall be back at sunset tomorrow. Now
take care Of Miss eziah, Cissy."
Cissy took great pleasure in these
words. Numberless little errands did
she run fer her mistress, till Miss Keziah
said, in her dry way: you're as great a
blessing, child, as your ducks are a nui-
sance."
She was starting across the brook to
the melon-patch for watermelon.
'rll gom profered Cissy, eagerly.
"No, | want to PICK it out myself
You stay here and watch for john" sad
the brisk cd lady.
The minutes passed slowly away, as
Cissy stood in the doorway CHANGING up
the brown road, and watching the even
ing primroses puff open with a Whit of
sweet odor. : he fancied she heard the
sound of wheel, and was gazing sharply
up the road when a great cry arose among
her ducks.
"Somethin's got EN-" she thought,
with quick alarm, and rushed around the
house in great haste. The ducks were
waddling across the grass, squawking
vociferously, while right under the little
foot-bri lge lay Miss Keziah, with the
clear ater ripping over her face.
Cissy gave great cry, and sprang into
the brook; but she was so small anG
weak that she could only lift the poo
white face from the water and hold it
with all her puay strength, while he
teeth chartered with cold and fright
The wheels approached nearer and near
err but it seemed hours to the poor chile
before Mr.. John came around the house
calling:
"Helo! Where are you all2'
He took in tie scene at one glance
and soon had Miss Keziah in his arms
while Cissy mechanically picked up
broken watermelon, and followed, laugh
ing and crying by turns.
Miss Keziah was soon safe and warn
in bed. "That plaguey loose log" sh
said, "iest turned over and wrenchet
my foot so that OYER l went; and tn
last thing knew those ducks"
"Them dear ducks, interrupted Cissy
eff it hadn't been for them, you nigh
have laid there, Miss Keziah, with tha
awful water on your face till you,
drownded."
Mr.. John looked very sober. "Cssy,
he said, shortly, run out and bring m
that parcel | left on the front porch
Away went Cissy, and moment ATTIC
she again uttered cry of Joy. go Tom
Toni" she exclaimed and then sh
pulled him in, blushing and looking
trifle sheepish, but such a happy boy
Tottenville people said the Whitley
ran a great risk in giving a home t
those two unknown city waits, but tim
proved that it was wise and generor
thing.
Years after, when Cissy had grown
blooming girl, she often laughingly d,